On August 28^th-29^th-30^th, a workshop focused on efforts to counter violent extremism in Senegal was held at the West African Research Center with an opening ceremony on Wednesday August 28^th co-chaired by the US Ambassador in Senegal and the Director of the West African Research Center (WARC).

The workshop which was a sequel to the evaluation report on violent extremism submitted by a WARC evaluation team in May 2021, primarily targeted initiatives to counter violent extremism in border and remote areas of Senegal such as Kidira, Kédougou, Salémata, Sédhiou, Ziguinchor, Karang along with religious communities in Ndiassane, Touba, Tivaouane etc…. Densely populated communities in the region of Dakar were also invited.

Various experts from the civil society, defense and security forces as well as community and opinion leaders attended and discussed various topics while insisting on the need to have community members fully realize the potential risks relating to the possible spread of extremism in the country.

The three-day workshop was attended by experts, civil society members, prominent members of the security and defense forces, mayors and community leaders for a total of 48 people. 

Photo 1: The family picture featuring the US Ambassador and participants

Photo 2: One of the panels featuring retired senior officers of the Senegalese armed forces